WWE NXT puts on a special episode of their weekly show with NXT Heatwave taking place on August 22. This will be the second time that the Heatwave event will be hosted by WWE NXT, following the 2022 edition which took place in mid-August. In the 2023 year, Heatwave will mark the fifth special episode that NXT will offer, following the two-week Gold Rush specials in late June.
The 2023 edition of Heatwave currently has six matches scheduled for the event, with two of them being for titles. The following network special offering from NXT will be the No Mercy event set to take place on Saturday, September 30.
The Heatwave stop will undoubtedly be an important one in the build-up to that event with several of the match-ups on this special promising to shift the landscape of the entire NXT. Wrestling fans can be sure to expect several segments to take place on the card but here is the preview of the confirmed match-ups.
THIS TUESDAY at #NXTHeatwave
🙌 @Carmelo_WWE defends his #NXTChampionship against @WesLee_WWE
⚖️ @RheaRipley_WWE & @DomMysterio35 face @dragonlee95 & @Real_Valkyria in a Mixed Tag Team Match
😤 @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR and @_trickwilliams will go to war📺 8/7c on @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/CISAKMO9zX
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) August 20, 2023
NXT Heatwave 2023 Match Card:
- Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. Wes Lee [NXT Championship Singles Match]
- Nathan Frazer (c) vs. Noam Dar [British Rounds Rules Undisputed NXT Heritage Cup Champion Match]
- Ilja Dragunov vs. Trick Williams [Singles Match]
- Rhea Ripley and ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio vs. Lyra Valkyria and Dragon Lee [Mixed Tag Team Match]
- Ivy Nile vs. Ava [Singles Match]
- Von Wagner vs. Baron Corbin [Singles Match]
Nathan Frazer and Noam Dar Battle For NXT Heritage Cup in British Rounds Rules Match
Noam Dar‘s quest to regain the NXT Heritage Cup has been an emotional journey. At NXT Heatwave, Nathan Frazer will put his Undisputed NXT Heritage Cup on the line, giving Dar another chance to regain the gold he cherishes. The two will compete in a British Rounds Rules match, which is a throwback to the classic NXT Heritage Cup match style.
The British Rounds Rules match allows six three-minute rounds with 20 seconds of rest in between, with the 2-out-of-3 pinfalls stipulation. This will allow both Frazer and Dar to pull out all the stops to be the first to achieve ultimate victory and claim the cup.
Ava Makes Her Singles Debut Against Ivy Nile
There will be a battle between the women of Diamond Mine and Schism as Ivy Nile and Ava represent their respective teams. This will mark Ava’s debut singles match but, having deep ties to the world of pro-wrestling through her father The Rock, fans can expect Ava to be more than ready.
Diamond Mine and Schism have been feuding over the last few months and this showcase could further that story whilst also giving both Nile and Ava a chance to shine on their own.
Von Wagner And Baron Corbin Clash In Singles Action
Baron Corbin has spoken about ushering in a new era for himself but Von Wagner seems determined to ruin Corbin’s plans. Wagner has been on the come-up in NXT and now enters a feud with Corbin, who many believe a wrestler has to prove themselves against to rise in the rankings. This is a standard singles match which could provide the perfect platform for Wagner and Corbin to put on a performance that could showcase the best of the pair.
‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio And Rhea Ripley Team Up Against Dragon Lee And Lyra Valkyria
‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley have been wreaking havoc on everything and everyone in their path. For the first time, the two will team up in mixed tag team action, and they do so against the pairing of Dragon Lee and Lyra Valkyria.
The Women’s World Champion has been known to assist Mysterio in his matches, particularly when it comes to his NXT North American championship. Now, the two will get to work together against a pairing that, although still new, is a highly motivated one. Lee and Valkyria both have a bone to pick with ‘Dirty’ Dom and Ripley, and this gives them the chance to dish out revenge on the pair.
Mixed tag team match-ups are often exciting and it can be expected that this will deliver high-quality action between the four involved.
Ilja Dragunov And Trick Williams Finally Meet
Ilja Dragunov and Trick Williams are set to finally meet in the ring at Heatwave, following weeks of build-up. Dragunov put on a clinical performance against NXT Champion, Carmelo Hayes, at The Great American Bash but ultimately did not succeed in claiming the gold.
Dragunov quickly got into a rivalry with Williams and it all reaches fever pitch at Heatwave. This will be an opportunity for both Dragunov and Williams to prove themselves whilst settling their differences. This is a standard singles match which will allow the two to just go all out on each other in this emotionally-charged match-up.
Wes Lee Moves Into The Spotlight Against Carmelo Hayes
Carmelo Hayes and Wes Lee have been involved in a rivalry for a number of weeks now. For Lee, it seems that, with the NXT North American championship in the rearview mirror, the NXT championship is next on his agenda. Hayes has had a stronghold on the main NXT gold since NXT Stand & Deliver in April, successfully holding onto the gold despite the challengers.
It seems that the next challenger will be Wes Lee and, with Trick Williams focusing on his own match-up at Heatwave, Lee has the one-on-one opportunity to capture gold. The two have teamed up in the past but at NXT Heatwave, for the first time, the pair will clash as Lee serves as the latest threat to Hayes’ championship reign.
This is already a match-of-the-night contender as both Hayes and Lee have been known to put on stellar performances. The same can be expected with this offering, and the stakes are high as a new NXT champion could be crowned.
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